Protesters rally in New Haven against killing of shelter animals (video)

NEW HAVEN -- About 20 animal rights activists carrying signs with messages like, "Killing is not rescuing," "Stop the Murder," and "Save a life -- Adopt" protested Saturday outside the city's animal shelter.

Dina Brown of Branford, the state's representative for the Animal Rights Alliance America, said the protesters want to stop all killing of shelter animals.

"We didn't specifically target this shelter," Brown said. "They try to find homes for the animals here, they really do. We are protesting that Connecticut has any kill shelters."

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The demonstrators picked the local shelter solely because of its central location, according to Brown. The group stayed from 1 to 3 p.m., and several motorists passing by honked and waved to them.

The local protest was part of a nationwide effort on Saturday against what demonstrators referred to as "kill pounds."

According to Brown, those involved plan to demonstrate to raise awareness, take legal action against the pound system for any animal abuse, hold elected officials accountable for money allocated to the pound system, and demand humane treatment.

Stacy Attenberg of New Haven, who was among the protesters, said she is an animal rights activist, and wants to bring more awareness to the plight many animals face.

"People are dumping animals, and think they will be adopted, but many shelters in the country have to euthanize them for space," Attenberg said.

Christine Penney of Middletown was also among the protesters.

"It is good to raise awareness -- every day people buy a cat from a pet store or from breeders, when these animals are here and need homes," Penney said. "So many animals are adoptable and are just sitting in cages."

Stephani Johnson, the city's animal control officer, said the adoption rate at the New Haven shelter is between 80 percent and 85 percent. Staff was consulting with several people who wanted to adopt pets on Saturday, and they found new homes for many.

"The only animals that are euthanized here are those who pose a risk because they are a danger to the public, or those who are too severely ill for us to care for," Johnson said. "You can't keep an aggressive dog caged for life. I don't think it is fair to them. It is inhumane to keep an aggressive dog that will never find a home."

Johnson said she was saddened that the protesters chose to demonstrate outside the local shelter. She said the staff works hard to try to find good homes for the animals there.